American Idol Producer: Mariah Vs. Nicki Beef The Real Deal

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For fans that still view the combative feud between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj as a ploy for ratings, American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe says think again.

According to TMZ, there was nothing contrived about the memorable tension-filled, on-camera argument that made headlines. Indeed, even President Barack Obama has weighed in on the spat heard around the world.

“I have no idea why I would be doing it [for ratings] five months before the show went out,” Lythgoe said of the pop diva’s and Young Money hip-hop queen’s bitter rumble.

For Lythgoe, the thought-process behind such a plan makes no sense. “I would only do ANYTHING for ratings a month before the show went out,” he explained. “They’ve got my timing wrong.”

Fans will get the chance to see Mariah and Nicki in action when the new season of American Idol kicks off in January on FOX.—Keith Murphy (@murphdogg29)